Comic-Con '08: Welcome to San Diego

San Diego- Pulling up to the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina is not your normal hotel valet experience. First off, two women in what looked like Renaissance gear were sharing a cigarette. Men in knee-high leather boots and scabbards appeared to be patrolling the herds of families in matching Flash or Iron Man t-shirts.

But, hey, it’s Comic-Con. If you want a more traditional San Diego weekend experience, rent a room at a hotel that’s Sea World adjacent. I’m a couple days behind the more weathered and experienced Comic-Con goers, but I’m hoping I can pick up my pace and make up for lost time. First up…

Project Comic-Con

The Warner Bros. Animation cocktail party was a swinging affair, complete with blackjack tables, a pie station, and display cases full of authentic Warner Bros. Animation memorabilia. For the most part the dress code was Comic-Con evening casual, with WBTV’s Peter Roth and Warner Bros. Animation’s Lisa Gregorian leading the comfortable vibe. (A true team player, Gregorian was handing out gift bags to partygoers as I was entering). 

But there was one attendee working the animated runway; Amanda Cockerham from nearby Poway, Calif. was bedecked in a gown of her own design. At first it looked like Cockerham had used printed fabric to create her vintage Wonder Woman comic book dress, but closer inspection showed her frock was actually constructed of canvas. “I made it from two Wonder Woman bags,” she admitted, noting that last year she was a fashion do on the convention floor with a dress made from “Smallville” swag bags.

Warner Bros.’ Tammy Golihew was so impressed with what Cockerham did last year, she decided to send her a pair of 2008 swag bags before the current convention so Cockerham could be ready to wear from day one.  So would the Amazonian princess wear a number like this? “I think she might,” Cockerham said shyly. Where’s Tim Gunn when you need him?

Um, nobody knows who you are

The nice thing about Comic-Con is the refreshing lack of attitude and the genuine enthusiasm people have for the gee-whiz elements of the convention. And then there were the jokers waiting in line for the William Morris party at the Hard Rock Hotel.  About 100 people were waiting outside on Fifth St. for their turn to get on the elevator to the fourth floor for the WMA event, but many were not thrilled about cooling their heels for so long. 

“I’ve been told by at least five people I’m getting fired,” sighed one weary William Morris PR type. “And apparently everyone knows Dave Wirthshafter.” Dave wasn’t in attendance but the 10-minute wait (seriously, that was it) was more than worth it. The outside event offered plenty of space for agency employees, partners, clients and client hopefuls to mix and mingle, plus the chance to rub elbows with some real Comic-Con celebs. 

David Boreanz and Jeffrey Dean Anderson were charming the crowds, as was “Sarah Silverman’s” Brian Posehn. But the star of the party had to be the legendary Stan Lee. Note to the line haters down below: Stan was gracious as all get-out.

Talk about a true super man.

By Christopher Lisotta

Christopher Lisotta has written for several publications, including TVWeek, The Advocate and L.A. Weekly. He is covering the 2008 International Comic-Con for Broadcasting & Cable.